Early settlement of India-China border dispute serves common interest: Chinese Foreign Ministry

China and India together believe that an early settlement of the border dispute serves a common interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said after Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said tensions between Beijing and New Delhi “have not served either of the sides well.”

During a press briefing, Wenbin was asked to reply to Jaishankar’s comments on the India-China border issue. “Both China and India believe that an early settlement of the situation on the China-India border serves the common interests of both countries,” the Chinese official said.

Wenbin added, “We hope that the two sides will follow the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries and the spirit of relevant agreements, maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, and find a solution to relevant border issues that can be accepted by both sides at an early date.”

Earlier this week, Jaishankar said that he believes that not having that many forces on the Line of Actual Control serves a common interest of the two nations. “So, the sooner we resolve it, I genuinely believe it is good for both of us. I am still very much committed to finding a fair, reasonable outcome. But one which is respectful of agreements recognises the Line of Actual Control and doesn’t seek to change the status quo,” the Indian foreign minister said.

Boundary issue does not represent China-India relations

Wenbin said that it is wrong to assume that the boundary issues between the two countries represent “the entirety of China-India relations.”

“We hope that India will work in the same direction with China and approach the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective. We should enhance mutual trust and avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment,” he added.

The spokesperson stressed the importance of stepping up dialogue and cooperation between New Delhi and Beijing to avoid setting up obstacles.

When pointed out that Jaishankar’s comments referred to the resolution of the present standoff in eastern Ladakh where the two countries deployed thousands of troops, while China referred to the overall boundary issue, Wang said, “The two things in nature are the same.”

With inputs from agencies